The Eagle Claw system can be viewed as a soft hard style, soft in movement hard in application. It is light and springy, with swift footwork, pliable body and solid stances.
Eagle Claw applies 7 key principles and thier use
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1. Clawing, Seizing, and Striking
- 抓打擒拿
Zhuā Dǎ Qín Ná
2. Pressure Point Striking and Breath Control
點穴閉氣
Diǎn Xué Bì Qì3. Locking and Controlling (Deflecting and Catching)
靠肘手法
Kào Zhǒu Shǒu Fǎ4. Controlling, Pushing, and Pulling (Diverting and Leading)
: 刁勾摟手
Diāo Gōu Lǒu Shǒu -
5. Twisting, Jumping, and Dropping (Evasion)
閃展騰挪
Shǎn Zhǎn Téng Nuó6. Falling and Waist Techniques (Absorbing Force)
內吸衝跌
Nèi Xī Chōng Diē -
7. Manipulating Tendons and Dislocating Bones
分筋錯骨
Fēn Jīn Cuò Gǔ——————————
The following can also be used:
- Zhuā Jīn (Gripping Tendons) 抓筋
- Diǎn Xué (Pressure Point Striking) 点穴
- Niǔ Cuò / Cuò Gǔ (Twisting and Dislocating Joints) 扭错 / 错骨
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Eagle Claw Zhuā Jīn (Gripping Tendons) 抓筋
Various powers or Li/Jing are developed in Eagle Claw:
- Yīn Lì (Unexpected / Hidden Force) 阴力
- Yáng Lì (Obvious / Overt Force) 阳力
- Róu Lì (Soft / Pliant Force) 柔力
- Tán Lì (Reflect / Springing Force) 弹力
- Cùn Lì (Inch / Short-range Force) 寸力
- Gāng Lì (Hard / Rigid Force) 刚力
- Cuì Lì (Clear / Crisp Force) 脆力
Guidance on how to apply these 7 powers or types of strength within the Eagle Claw system
1. The Intercept and Trap (Soft → Hard → Hidden)
This combination is used when an opponent throws a heavy punch. You absorb their momentum before delivering a devastating counter.
* Róu Lì (柔力 – Soft Force): You do not meet their punch head-on. Instead, you use a soft deflection or sticky-hand technique to redirect their arm away from your centerline.
* Gāng Lì (刚力 – Hard Force): The moment their arm is deflected and their balance is compromised, you instantly harden your grip, clamping down on their wrist or elbow joint with an iron Eagle Claw.
* Yīn Lì (阴力 – Hidden Force): While their arm is locked, you execute a sudden, unexpected twist or pressure-point rip that they cannot anticipate because your primary point of contact feels static.
2. The Overwhelm and Break (Overt → Clear → Inch)
This combination is used when you want to aggressively break through an opponent’s guard and finish the fight at close range.
* Yáng Lì (阳力 – Overt Force): You launch a loud, obvious, and heavy initial strike (like a wide sweeping strike) to force the opponent to raise a high, rigid block.
* Cuì Lì (脆力 – Clear/Crisp Force): The moment your strike meets their block, you instantly snap your hand down in a crisp, sharp pulling motion, clearing their guard out of the way cleanly without lingering.
* Cùn Lì (寸力 – Inch Force): With their chest now completely exposed and your hand only inches away from their torso, you deliver a short-range internal strike that penetrates deeply without needing a wind-up.
3. The Counter-Attack (Springing → Hard)
This combination is used when an opponent attempts to push, grab, or jam your arms to pin you down.
* Tán Lì (弹力 – Springing Force): As the opponent presses heavily against your arms, you compress slightly like a metal coil, absorbing their pressure. You then suddenly release that stored energy, bouncing or “reflecting” their arms away from you.
* Gāng Lì (刚力 – Hard Force): The instant their hands are bounced back and they are left open, you drive forward with a rigid, unyielding strike—such as a double palm strike or throat pierce—using your entire body weight.
点脉 Dian Mai (more commonly known as 點脈 dim mak) – striking blood vessels to cause blockages and induce illness,
截穴 Jie Xue – striking nerves to cause numbness and induce effects such as paralysis or dementia
點穴 Dian Xue – additional method used for striking the xue acupoints and is concerned with disrupting the flow of 气 Qi (life force) relative to organs and meridians within the body, a comprehensive study of meridian charts and also the 12/24hour body clock and seasons of the year.
要害 Yao Hai – striking vital areas to disrupt organ function.